From the page: Denim deserves a second life
Idea 2
Coasters of thick fabric
Coasters of dense fabric have existed since families began protecting wooden tables from moisture rings — denim is perfect because twill is a tight weave that takes a long time to soak through. In textile workshops, denim scraps have always been the first material for teaching beginners to sew straight: thick, doesn't fray easily, and forgives mistakes.
What you need
- The legs of the jeans (the area without rips)
- Scissors, ruler, and tailor's chalk
- Sewing machine (or needle and patience)
- Thick thread in a contrasting color (mustard or white looks beautiful)
How to make it
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1
Cut 10 × 10 cm squares, two per coaster — measure with a ruler and mark with chalk so all are identical, because symmetry is what gives a professional look.
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2
Join two squares wrong side to wrong side and sew all the way around leaving a 1 cm margin and a 3 cm gap.
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3
Trim the corners diagonally (without cutting the seam) before turning — trimmed corners come out sharp and square; untrimmed ones come out crooked and rounded.
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4
Turn right side out, push the corners well with the tip of closed scissors, and iron.
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5
Close the gap and make a straight stitch 5 mm from the edge all around — besides closing it, this stitching gives the "industrial rustic" look.
Finishing touches
Make a set with stitching in different colors. If you want more water resistance, interleave a layer of clean raffia between the fabrics.
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